Customer Reviews

Gamecube Wavebird Wireless Controller Grey, Silver, Compatible with Wii

5 star:		(146)
4 star:		(35)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

The standard GameCube controller is perfect except for one thing: the cord is too short. All video game manuals warn against sitting too close to the TV, but you HAVE to sit close when your controller's cord is less than six feet long. The folks at Nintendo could have addressed this issue by offering some type of extension cord, but that would have inevitably led to more problems...like tangles and tripping accidents. Instead, they have created the innovative WaveBird WIRELESS controller. And this baby works like magic! Now you can sit up to twenty feet away from the screen without being tethered to your `Cube. Just plug the little receiver thingamajig into the front of the console, set it to one of 16 channels, set the controller to the same channel, turn it on and play till your thumbs go numb. The WaveBird has the same ultra-comfortable feel of the regular controller, with no lag whatsoever in button response time. Regrettably, the `Bird lacks the popular "rumble" feature of its corded counterpart. Including the rumble would presumably have caused the required 2 AA batteries (included) to wear out too quickly. I happen to like the rumble, but I have found that it sometimes hampers my gameplay. Not having the option to use it at all is somewhat of a drawback, but not enough to outweigh the enormous advantage of being able to play cord free. I will say that I think it's unfortunate that Nintendo currently only makes the WaveBird in ONE color: a boring pale gray (almost white). If you wanted to use four `Birds at once, it could get confusing. Nevertheless, I highly recommend this controller to every GameCube owner. And if they ever decide to make it available in "spice," I just might buy another one.

If you are still trying to decide which game system to buy, you owe it to yourself to factor in the Wavebird in your decision making process. This is hands down the best controller available.
First, consider the price. No other console system currently has a 1st party wireless controller, only 3rd party versions, all of which are a LOT more expensive than the Wavebird. At only [$$$]more than the standard controller, its an amazing bargain.
Next, consider the build quality. There is something to be said about 1st party peripherals (be it Nintendo, Sony or Microsoft). I've always found them to be better built and more precise than 3rd party controllers. The same can be said of the Wavebird. It feels every bit as solid as Nintendo's standard controller. For games requiring a lot of precision, such as Super Monkey Ball, the Wavebird can't be matched.
Finally, the Wavebird really delivers in the wireless department. No lag, no interference, just perfect. The range is very impressive. Nintendo conservatively recommends a 20 foot range, but several people have reported success using it at over 100 feet! I can use it any where in my house. Battery life looks to be good, too. The Wavebird comes with two AA batteries, and should last about 100 hours of use (just remember to turn off the Wavebird when not in use!).
There are a couple of downsides, though. First, you will need to replace batteries. Second, there is no rumble feature in the Wavebird. To be honest, though, I haven't missed the rumble feature, as it is mostly used as a gimmick and precious few games actually put the rumble feature to good use. Also, you need to be sure to set the controller and receiver unit to the same "channel" via a small dial on each. A curious four-year-old may play around with this dial, causing problems.
Despite these few shortcomings, I highly recommend the Wavebird, especially if you have kids. You can safely place your Gamecube out of the way, resulting in a lot less handling of the system by the kids. The functionality and "feel" of the controller is spot on, and the price can't be beat.

I received a Wave Bird controller as a present recently, and am completely taken with it. It is very similar to the standard GameCube controllers, with the addition of a small platform on the bottom & a battery pack for the two (included) AA batteries...none of which is really noticeable during gameplay.

The control is precise...I have noticed no lag, nor has the control ever been interrupted due to it pointing the wrong direction or something coming between it and the system. In fact, we tested it for range, and I was able to work the control from my back yard, with the door closed...a range of somewhere around 60-70 feet!!! No, most people aren't going to be using it from this far away, but it is nice to know the radio signal is that strong. You can rest assured that your signal won't be cut off at a crucial moment in your game.

Being a user who frequently utilizes all four controller ports, this is wonderful. We continually get cords tangled, or the dog runs by & knocks one out...with this controller, all there is is the controller itself and a small receiver that plugs into the Gamecube. The receiver can be attuned to several different frequencies, so you can indeed use four of these at once without encountering interference.

The Wave Bird controller is a fantastic value...after the recent price drop, I was pondering buying a couple more standard Nintendo controllers to replace the third party controllers I have, but not any more...it is completely worth the extra money to pick up one of these instead.

Apart from Anime, this is the coolest thing to sit with my TV. Don't listen to those people who say you have to point it at the TV, because you don't! I'ts RF. That stands for Radio Frequency. It's just like a radio. If you had to point your boombox at the radio tower to pick up signal, nobody would listen. All other controllers (sans 3) at this point are IR (infra red). That's just like your TV remote, CRAP. RF transmitters, like in the wavebird, have an extreme battery life. With new batteries, the acual range (sans 2.3-4 GHz phones and power lines), this puppy gets up to is about 45 feet, average. Not too shabby. But, the price here is a bit high. You can find it elsewhere at about a dozen dollars less than this, so shop around. (nothing against Amazon, but you win some, you loose some.

This controller is definitely worth the price. It frees up a lot of space by eliminating those long, easy twisting and tangling control cables, it's light, and it handles great.

The controller includes a small base that connects to any of the four GameCube ports. It also includes two AA batteries that go in the wireless controller.

There's a small rotating dial with 16 channels on both the controller and the base for purposes of identifying the device in use. If you have more than one controller, the dial must be set to a different channel on each controller and base to avoid interference. Practical jokes can be made by setting two controllers on the same channel (picture someone else hiding in the room and controlling your Mario while you are fighting Bowser, fun eh?) but I don't want to give any ideas.

The maximum signal range is about 20 feet. You don't need to point the controller to the base like with a remote control. You can play and twist and jump with the control at any angle you wish as long as it is within range.

The only small flaw I found was the lack of a rumble feature by design. You just won't have that feature because Nintendo wants to save precious battery life. Me, I would have included a rumble feature. Current batteries last longer and are cheaper, and watching the pace at which technology evolves, we may have better batteries any time.

Try it out and I know you'll soon put away the original controller.

Recommended.

I bought this about 5 hours ago and I must say this blows everything else wireless that Ive seen out of the water. You get to choose from 16 channels so 2 or 4 controllers don't screw each other up. It's barley heavier than the regular controller and the battery's (2AA) give it 100 hours of life! However, in order to obtain longer battery life the rumble feature was removed but believe me, you wont notice. There is no lag (delay) at all. It's like you have a cord pluged in but you don't. I'm so glad that no more of my stupid friends are doing face plants on my carpet and scratching my Cube. Anyway, even if you don't really play that far away from your TV, one day you will I promise you, and besides if just too awsome to pass up; I plan on getting four of them, who cares about rumble. So buy this.....buy it now.

When I heard the Gamecube would be getting a wireless controller I really had my doubts that it would work well. When I got home and plugged it in, those doubts were ended. The controller's shape is slightly different than the normal one due to the fact that there is a battery slot, but the weight and feel of it in your hands is virtually identical to that of the normal controller. I can lean back on my bed, halfway across the bedroom from my system, and it STILL works! I've even pointed it backwards and put objects in front of the sensor, and each time it works just fine. There are only two problems. Problem one is the lack of a built-in rumble feature. This isn't a big problem though, in that it was left out to save battery power. Without that feature, the controller lasts up to 100 hours (and I doubt I've even played my Gamecube that long since I got it!) You can also change the frequency so that you can use any combination of Wavebird controllers or the standard cord using ones. Problem two is the lack of color variety (to date this controller is available only in gray.) But that doesn't disrupt gameplay so it's not a big deal either. If you've got a Gamecube and a quality game like Super Smash Bros. Melee or Star Wars Rogue Leader, the Wavebird is all you need to make your gaming experience complete.

Pick up this controller and it is an immediate joy to play with. You will constantly realize all the "reflexes" you've picked up by playing with cords attached... sometimes you'll want to swing the controller to get the wire over your leg when you move it. Soon, you can be walking around with it, getting a drink in the kitchen, while clicking through dialogue in RPGs. And it's the same price as other controllers.

So what's the catch, you ask? No rumble, and it's battery powered (2 AAs). Personally, I never once missed the rumble feature (plus, my controller no longer ends up as sweaty for those crucial turns in monkey ball). And my first set of batteries lasted me about 35+ hours of gameplay.

Wait, but you didn't say anything about the controller messing up since it's wireless? That's because it doesn't.

I live in an apartment with power lines five feet from my windows, which causes horrible electrical disturbance (sometimes I get two radio stations playing at once), so I am forced to put my TV in the room farthest away from them. But, wait, I take the Wavebird and place it five feet away from these powerlines, which is about 25 feet away from the TV, through walls, and the controller still works flawlessly (with a friend's help at viewing). It has a radio signal, so no pointing at the TV, it just works.

It is the first, PERFECT wireless controller and even fits into your hand better, being weighted more towards your body.

Having trouble with interference? Just switch the dials on the bottom to change the frequency. As controllers go, this is my favorite controller ever made.

After another day of trying to keep my 9 month old from resetting the console and tugging the cords, it was time to try something different. I'm a dad of 3 and the Gamecube is great fun, this controller is amazing. The console is now tucked safely away in the TV entertainment center completely out of sight and I'm playing games roaming every room in my house.

I've got an open house plan with few walls on the main level. This controller's range is incredible, even with the glass doors on the entertainment center closed. It seems to work everywhere - not that I could even see the screen from one of the rooms, but it sure was fun having my older kids laugh while I tried to play from so far away. Playing with a room door in your face is definitely a unique gaming experience. Maybe now I've got enough reason to buy that big screen television ;-).

I was briefly dissapointed with the lack of rumble, but its worth the trade off to get extra battery life - the kids and I we have nearly doubled the amount of time we play now that there isn't setup/teardown or chord mess to worry about. The on/off switch and LED that shows battery strength is great. The switch allows you to shut off the controller while any game is paused for long periods of time.

The controller has a similar feel to its tethered relatives. It may look like a brick, but it doesn't feel that way. The analog throw may be slightly longer giving more control if you believe that is possible - from a wireless pad no less! It hasn't missed a beat in hours of monkeyball 2 madness.

Like the cube itself, the nintendo controller is sleak and simple, technically sound, and reasonably priced. This is an accessory that improves upon an already awesome gaming experience. I'm off to get controllers 2 through 4 (with 16 channels, you can use them simultaneously) in time for the holiday season!

I was fortunate enough to use a Wavebird Controller at E3. I have to say I'm very impressed. So impressed I will change all four of my regular controllers to Wavebirds. I was one of several to actually use it playing Mario Party(real nice for Gamecube!!!) The way it was situated was four contestants sitting next to each other on a little like bleachers kind of thing about roughly 15 to 20 feet away from the Gamecube. The trippiest part was that the Gamecube was turned around. So the controllers were not facing the little radio transmitter things plugged into the ports. I was looking at the back of the Gamecube. I was holding it thinking not bad. It's lightweight just a tad bit heavier than a regular controller. If you like how the regular Gamecube controller feels then the Wavebird feels no different in that department. One thing bad is that it does not rumble. I was told by a Nintendo rep that this was done for battery purposes(longer life). So if that's really important to you then keep your old controllers. It terms of responsiveness, WOW!!! I couldn't believe this thing wasn't corded. If you have had a wireless controller before, for any system, you know what I am talking about. With older wireless controllers you had to be right in front of the machine. If someone walks by, your finger is accentally over the infra-red part of the controller, you are to far, bottom line is that the overall responsiveness from the controller to game is slowed down or at most times nothing happens cause the controller and the transmitter are being blocked from each other. Playing Mario Party with four people there was no interference with each other. I swear the controller is a work of genius. Like everyone out there serious gamers need to be comfortable to do what we do best...conquer a game. Whether it be against the computer, a friend or even a foe. Everything has to be right. The seat, lighting, TV, all that good stuff. Now the gun. This is the one. No more people pulling out cords cause thet got they a** beat, no more people eating floor cause they tripped on the cord. My favorite play in bed without moving the machine because the cord can't reach and you don't want move because you're comfortable and recovering from the night before. You will not be disappointed. I have always wanted a wireless controller that was going to make my video game experience that much better...Now I do!!!